Foreign Aid Bill Contains $50 M to Help Resettle Soviet Emigrants

Congress last night passed a $3.65 billion foreign aid bill that contains $50 million for use by the State Department to help resettle Soviet emigrants–mostly Jews going to Israel–and a $50 million grant in economic supportive assistance to Israel. The measure cleared the House by a 188-80 vote and was adopted by voice vote in the Senate. It now goes to President Nixon for signature which is considered certain.

The Foreign Aid bill also contains a $400 million authorization for overall military purchase credits. While the recipient countries are not specified, testimony by the administration to the Congress and the authorization legislation already adopted by both houses indicated that the intent of Congress and the administration Is to provide Israel with $300 million in credits for military purchases. Israel will also share–though to what extent is unknown–in a $25.5 million allocation for US hospitals, schools and other institutions in foreign countries.

An effort led by Sen. J. William Fulbright (D. Ark.) to shelve the entire foreign aid package was defeated 41-22 prior to the voice vote in the Senate. In connection with the $50 million allocation for the resettlement of Soviet refugees,State Department sources told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency last night that 24,000 Jews have emigrated from Russia during the first nine months of this year. The sources said the total in Sept. was 3000, 800 more than during Aug.